The current political climate in the United States has sparked significant discussion about empathy in politics, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration and gender. Many within the Democratic Party express concern over an apparent decline in empathy, while some commentators suggest that Trump supporters may eventually become more compassionate as they experience the consequences of these policies.
However, Dahlia Lithwick, a Slate editor and host of the Amicus podcast, offers a different perspective. She has written about the absence of empathy across the political divide and elaborated on her views during an interview on The Show.
Empathy and Political Narratives
DAHLIA LITHWICK: “This is Trump’s superpower, right? I think that we have to be really mindful of the fact that if you have an entire political narrative built up around the idea that your suffering is caused by sort of evil others, whether it’s, you know, the Marxists or the communists or increasingly just Democrats, then the idea that they are, you know, taking one to the face becomes really gratifying.”
Lithwick argues that expecting Trump supporters to eventually empathize with others is unrealistic, as the current political atmosphere thrives on leveraging the suffering of others. She highlights how Trump’s rhetoric can simultaneously minimize and exaggerate the threat posed by outsiders, such as migrants.
Lithwick points to Kristi Noem’s visit to a prison in El Salvador as an example, where Noem was photographed with unidentified gang members who were deported without due process. Lithwick emphasizes that such actions dehumanize individuals and inflate threats like that posed by Kilmar Abrego Garcia, accused of sex trafficking without substantial evidence.
Empathy on the Political Left
DINGMAN: “Can you talk a little bit about how this is happening on the left?”
LITHWICK: “There’s just such exulting, Sam, in the idea that someone who voted for Trump never expected, you know, his workers would be deported, and now his farm is suffering, you know, somebody who, voted for Trump and now is like, you know, being, deported willy-nilly without a trial. The sort of joy, the triumphal joy, I think it’s an, another way of numbing ourselves to actual suffering.”
Lithwick asserts that this lack of empathy is mirrored on the left, where some individuals take satisfaction in the hardships faced by Trump supporters. She argues that this approach lacks persuasive value and mirrors the same dehumanizing tactics seen on the right.
The Threat of Authoritarianism
Both Lithwick and Dingman discuss the potential for authoritarian regimes to exploit these dynamics. By encouraging a focus on personal well-being over broader societal issues, authoritarian leaders can advance their agendas unopposed. Lithwick warns against allowing empathy to be eroded and stresses the importance of remaining vigilant.
The Path to Rebuilding Empathy
LITHWICK: “I’m just gonna say it, it’s gonna sound flip, but like some of this is really fun, right? It’s being in community. It’s go to rallies, it’s not sit at home alone. It’s not surround yourself with kind of toxic paralyzing news that makes you feel as though there’s nothing to be done.”
Lithwick sees hope in reclaiming empathy through community action and engagement. By participating in rallies and connecting with diverse perspectives, individuals can cultivate empathy and drive societal change.
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